ORDINANCE
STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 12,289
CITY OF MONROE
The following Ordinance was introduced by Harvey , who moved for its adoption and was seconded by Muhammad :
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 25-64 (GENERAL FEES AND CHARGES) OF THE CITY OF MONROE CODE TO ADJUST FEES AND CHARGES FOR COMMUNITY CENTER AND PARK FACILITIES.
WHEREAS, the City of Monroe owns and operates parks, community centers, athletic facilities, pools, and other recreational amenities used by residents and visitors for recreational, civic, and community purposes;
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the existing fee structure for parks and recreation facilities contains numerous individual fees and distinctions that are difficult to administer and difficult for the public to understand;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a simplified and uniform system of facility reservation fees based primarily upon categories of facilities rather than individual facilities or types of events; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further finds that recreational programs and admission-based activities require operational flexibility in order to respond to community demand and program needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Monroe, in legal and regular session convened, that Section 25-64 of the Code of Ordinances of Monroe, Louisiana, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 25-64. Reservation Fees and Use of Parks and Recreation Facilities.
(A) General Provisions
(1) Purpose
This Section establishes a simplified and uniform fee structure governing the reservation and use of parks, recreation facilities, community centers, and related amenities owned or operated by the City of Monroe.
The fees established herein are intended to recover, in whole or in part, the costs associated with operating, maintaining, staffing, administering, and improving City parks and recreational facilities.
(2) Facility Categories
(a) City recreational facilities shall be classified into the following categories for purposes of establishing reservation fees:
(i) Category I – Small Shelters and Picnic Areas: Small open-air shelters, picnic structures, and similar park amenities designed for small gatherings and typically lacking utilities or specialized event infrastructure.
(ii) Category II – Standard Park Pavilions and Outdoor Gathering Facilities: Covered pavilions, bandstands, picnic areas, courts, and similar outdoor facilities designed to accommodate moderate gatherings and that may include basic electrical service or lighting but do not contain enclosed spaces, kitchens, or restroom facilities dedicated to the reserved facility.
(iii) Category III – Community and Event Facilities: Enclosed recreational or community spaces, including community center rooms, meeting rooms, classrooms, multipurpose rooms, and pavilions or structures equipped with kitchens, restrooms, utilities, or other amenities intended to support organized gatherings, meetings, or events.
(iv) Category IV – Premium and Large-Scale Facilities: Gymnasiums, amphitheaters, athletic complexes, destination pavilions, tournament facilities, and other large-capacity or specialized facilities designed to host athletic competitions, performances, conferences, or large public events.
(b) The Community Affairs Director is authorized to establish additional facility categories consistent with this Section and shall report any such categories to the City Council.
(3) Administrative Facility Classification Schedule
(a) The Community Affairs Director shall maintain and publish an administrative schedule assigning specific facilities to the categories established under this Section.
(b) The Community Affairs Director shall determine the appropriate category classification for each facility. In determining the appropriate category, the Community Affairs Director may consider facility size, utilities, enclosed space, event infrastructure, and anticipated operational demands.
(c) The schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect construction, renovation, or reclassification of facilities.
(B) Facility Reservations
(1) Reservation Fee Schedule. Reservation fees for facilities classified under this Section shall be as follows unless otherwise provided by this Section or by a written event agreement authorized under this Section:
| Category | Hourly Fee | Daily Fee |
| Category I | $25 | $150 |
| Category II | $50 | $250 |
| Category III | $75 | $450 |
| Category IV | $150 | $900 |
(2) Daily reservations include use of the facility during normal operating hours unless otherwise approved by the Community Affairs Director.
(3) Reservation time includes all setup, decorating, event activities, and cleanup, and the facility must be vacated by the end of the reserved time.
(4) The Community Affairs Director may establish minimum reservation periods for all facilities and parks.
(5) The City may require a daily reservation fee when a reservation substantially occupies a facility for the majority of operating hours or when the reservation prevents other users from reasonably reserving the facility during the same day.
(6) Fee Waiver Authority. The Community Affairs Director may waive or reduce reservation fees for events sponsored by nonprofit organizations, civic organizations, governmental entities, or events determined to serve a public purpose or community benefit. Fee waivers may be limited in number per organization or event series within a calendar year as determined by administrative policy.
(C) Large Events
(1) Events involving admission charges, concerts or festivals, conferences, commercial activity, athletic tournaments, large attendance, or use of substantial portions of the property may require a separate written event agreement approved by the Community Affairs Director.
(2) Notwithstanding any facility reservation fees established elsewhere in this Section, the Community Affairs Director may establish separate rental terms and reservation fees for large-scale or commercial events.
(3) Rental terms and reservation fees for such events may reflect the area of the property reserved, expected attendance, duration of the event, staffing, security, and operational needs, impacts to public access, and revenue generated by the event.
(D) Additional Event Charges
(1) Vendor fees. Vendor fees associated with events conducted at City recreational facilities shall be as follows unless otherwise provided in a negotiated event agreement:
| Vendor Type | Fee |
| Vendor Booth | $75 |
| Food Vendor | $150 |
(2) Equipment and Services
(a) In addition to facility reservation fees, the City may charge for the use of City-owned equipment or services required for an event, including but not limited to tables, chairs, stages, sound equipment, microphones, lighting, electrical service, and similar equipment or event infrastructure.
(b) Where City personnel are required to deliver, install, operate, or remove equipment, a setup or service fee may be assessed.
(c) Charges for equipment and services shall be assessed at uniform rates established by the Community Affairs Director.
(E) Programs and Recreational Activities
(1) Program Fees. Fees for recreational programs, classes, leagues, instructional activities, camps, boxing programs, fitness programs, or similar activities conducted at City recreational facilities may be established administratively by the Community Affairs Director.
(2) Instructor led programs. Unless otherwise approved by the Community Affairs Director, instructor-led programs may charge participant fees not exceeding fifteen dollars ($15.00) per participant per class, with seventy-five percent (75%) payable to the instructor and twenty-five percent (25%) retained by the City.
(3) Admission Fees. Fees for admission to City recreational facilities or activities, including but not limited to pools, splash pads, open gym activities, fitness rooms, or similar facilities, may be established administratively by the Community Affairs Director.
(F) Organized Athletic Events and Tournaments
(1) Organized tournaments. Organized athletic tournaments, leagues, or similar competitive events involving multiple teams or participants may be subject to tournament or field-use fees established by the Community Affairs Director. Such fees may include per-team fees, per-field fees, or event-based fees and may differ from the facility reservation fees established in this Section.
(2) Tournament agreements. The City may require a written tournament agreement establishing scheduling priority, operational responsibilities, staffing requirements, and applicable fees.
(G) Facility Use Regulations
(1) Exclusive use. A reservation made pursuant to this Section grants only a limited, revocable license to use the specific facility reserved and does not grant exclusive use or control of the surrounding park property or other City recreational facilities unless expressly authorized by the Community Affairs Director in writing. The City may continue to allow public access to all portions of the facility or park not specifically reserved.
(2.) Attendance Limits
(a) The number of persons attending an event shall not exceed the safe capacity of the reserved facility as determined by the City.
(b) If anticipated attendance materially exceeds the capacity of the reserved facility, the City may require reservation of additional facilities, relocation of the event, execution of a special event agreement, and additional safety or logistical measures.
(H) Operational Requirements
(1)Reservation Procedures
(a) The Community Affairs Director may establish reasonable procedures governing facility reservations, scheduling, payment requirements, cancellations, and facility use policies.
(b) The Community Affairs Director may establish reasonable weekend or holiday surcharges where operationally necessary.
(c) Facility reservations are subject to the park closing hours established in Article VII of this Chapter unless extended hours are approved pursuant thereto.
(2) Damage and Cleanup
(a) Persons reserving City parks or recreational facilities shall be responsible for maintaining the facility in a clean and orderly condition and for returning the facility to substantially the same condition in which it was received.
(b) The reserving party shall be responsible for any damage to City property occurring during the period of the reservation.
(c) If the City determines that additional cleaning, repair, or restoration is required following the event, the reserving party shall reimburse the City for the actual cost of such work.
(d) The Community Affairs Director may require a damage deposit depending on the size, nature, and type of event.
(3) Prohibited Substances. The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages and the use of tobacco products within City recreational facilities or during reserved events are prohibited unless expressly authorized by the City in writing. Any authorization for alcoholic beverages shall remain subject to all applicable state and local alcoholic beverage laws and permitting requirements. Nothing herein shall supersede any more restrictive prohibition on alcohol contained elsewhere in this chapter.
(4) Insurance Requirements.
(a) The City may require the person or organization reserving a facility to provide proof of liability insurance naming the City of Monroe as an additional insured.
(b) The form and amount of such insurance shall be determined by the Community Affairs Director based upon the nature, size, and risk associated with the event.
(I) Reservation Enforcement
(1) Failure to Use a Reserved Facility. If a person reserves a facility and fails to use the facility without providing reasonable notice as established by administrative policy, the City may retain the reservation fee and restrict or deny future reservations by that person or organization.
(2) Weather and Facility Closures
(a) The City shall not be responsible for cancellations or interruptions of events caused by weather conditions, natural events, power outages, or other circumstances beyond the City’s control.
(b) In such cases, the Community Affairs Director may, in his or her discretion, reschedule the reservation or authorize a partial or full refund of reservation fees in accordance with administrative policy.
(c) If a facility is closed by the City for safety, maintenance, or operational reasons, the City may reschedule the reservation or issue an appropriate refund as determined by the Community Affairs Director.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become effective May 1, 2026.
This Ordinance was introduced on March 24, 2026.
Notice published on March 27th , 2026.
This Ordinance having been submitted in writing, introduced, and published, was then submitted to a vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:
AYES: Harvey, McFarland & Muhammad
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Ezernack & Woods
And the Ordinance was declared ADOPTED on April 14, 2026.
Rodney McFarland, I
CHAIRPERSON
Carolus S. Riley
CITY CLERK
Oliver Friday Ellis
MAYOR’S APPROVAL
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MAYOR’S VETO